Showing papers in "International Journal of Water Resources Development in 2018"
TL;DR: Wang et al. as discussed by the authors pointed out that water resources are the basis for the sustainable development of China and that the country is currently facing alarming water-related problems associated with its fast economic development and cl...
Abstract: Water resources are the basis for the sustainable development of China. However, the country is currently facing alarming water-related problems associated with its fast economic development and cl...
158 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the status of soil salinization and its controlling factors are summarized for the Yinchuan region in arid areas, where poor water resource management is an important factor in soil salinization.
Abstract: Poor water resource management is an important factor in soil salinization in arid areas. In this study, the status of soil salinization and its controlling factors are summarized for the Yinchuan ...
146 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an overview of groundwater development in the Yinchuan plain, along with the associated negative effects, is provided, and a fragmented management framework is found responsible for the poor groundwater management.
Abstract: As a major challenge in building a new and sustainable Silk Road Economic Belt, threats induced by poor groundwater management have raised stress on the groundwater resources in the Yinchuan Plain, north-west China. In the present article, an overview of groundwater development in the plain, along with the associated negative effects, is provided. A fragmented management framework is found responsible for the poor groundwater management. Efficient and effective groundwater management will require proper attention of the local authorities to the inherent interaction among various water systems. Only with enhanced cooperation, an integrated monitoring network, strengthened scientific support and active public participation can the sustainability of groundwater management of the plain be achieved.
88 citations
TL;DR: In 2015, China's national government initiated a Sponge City Programme to address its urban flood issues as discussed by the authors, a sponge city is a city built around the concept of managing water in an ecologically sustainable environment.
Abstract: In 2015, China’s national government initiated a Sponge City Programme to address its urban flood issues. A sponge city is a city built around the concept of managing water in an ecologically susta...
78 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined household water insecurity in three urban informal settlements of Lilongwe, Malawi's capital and largest city and found that water insecurity arises from overdependence on communal water kiosks which are insufficient in number, have high nonfunctional rates, are prone to vandalism, and provide water irregularly.
Abstract: Over 70% of Malawi’s urban population lives in informal settlements, where households regularly face chronic water insecurity This article utilizes mixed methods – household surveys (N = 645), field observations, focus groups and interviews – to examine household water insecurity in three urban informal settlements of Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital and largest city The study finds that water insecurity arises from overdependence on communal water kiosks which are insufficient in number, have high nonfunctional rates, are prone to vandalism, and provide water irregularly; lack of alternative improved water sources; and a significant time burden due to long waiting times and multiple trips to water sources The findings underscore why water insecurity in Africa’s urban informal settlements deserves urgent policy attention
67 citations
TL;DR: Wang et al. as discussed by the authors proposed a systematic analysis of water management and allocation on the scale of a river basin, considering climate impacts and stakeholder networks in the Dongjiang River basin in South China.
Abstract: This article proposes a systematic analysis of water management and allocation on the scale of a river basin, considering climate impacts and stakeholder networks in the Dongjiang River basin in South China. Specific approaches are integrated to explore various subtopics. Findings indicate a slight increase of precipitation in the basin and strong fluctuations in this century due to climate extremes, which may lead to seasonal or quality-related water shortages. It is highlighted that alternative options for holistic water management are needed in the basin, and participatory water allocation mechanisms and establishment of a basin-wide management framework could be helpful.
51 citations
TL;DR: It is found that China’s dam-building is perceived very differently in different countries of South-East Asia.
Abstract: This article investigates China’s role as the world’s largest builder of and investor in large dams, focussing on the Greater Mekong Sub-Region in South-East Asia. It addresses the role Chinese actors play in dam-building as well as the environmental, social, economic and political implications by drawing on case studies from Cambodia and Vietnam. The article finds that China’s dam-building is perceived very differently in different countries of South-East Asia. In Cambodia, the dams in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region are considered instruments of economic growth and development, whereas downstream in Vietnam the dams are seen as potentially undermining national growth, development and security.
45 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors assess the Dutch approach to urban water management by looking at the governance approaches of three of the largest Dutch municipalities: Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht.
Abstract: Due to increasingly frequent incidents of pluvial flooding of public spaces and private properties, climate-adaptive building and urban water management are gaining momentum in Dutch water governance. This study assesses the Dutch approach to urban water management by looking at the governance approaches of three of the largest Dutch municipalities: Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht. By analyzing the municipalities’ governance approaches in a holistic way, paying attention to knowledge, organization and implementation, the research provides good practices in terms of different aspects of resilience as well as lessons regarding setting performance indicators in service levels, clarifying responsibility division, applying binding rules instead of soft policies, and more.
44 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyzed Tidal River Management in Bangladesh from a social learning perspective and found that social learning occurred more prominently at individual stakeholder level and less at the collective level.
Abstract: The article analyzes Tidal River Management in Bangladesh from a social learning perspective. Four cases were investigated using participatory assessment. Knowledge acquisition through transformations in the Tidal River Management process was explored as an intended learning outcome. The study finds that social learning occurred more prominently at the individual stakeholder level and less at the collective level. For Tidal River Management to be responsive and sustainable, especially in times of increased uncertainty and climate vulnerability, more attention needs to be paid to coordination and facilitation of multi-level learning that includes all stakeholders.
40 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the dynamic relationship between water-related risks and economic outcomes for an embanked area in coastal Bangladesh is conceptualized and the interaction between flood events, salinity, deteriorating and poorly maintained water infrastructure, agricultural production and income is modelled.
Abstract: Water-related risks impact development opportunities and can trap communities in a downward spiral of economic decline. In this article, the dynamic relationship between water-related risks and economic outcomes for an embanked area in coastal Bangladesh is conceptualized. The interaction between flood events, salinity, deteriorating and poorly maintained water infrastructure, agricultural production and income is modelled. The model is used to test the effect of improvements in the reliability, operation and maintenance of the water infrastructure on agricultural incomes and assets. Results indicate that interventions can have non-marginal impacts on indicators of welfare, switching the system dynamic from a poverty trap into one of growth.
34 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the power interplay that shapes the transboundary water interaction in the Brahmaputra River basin is examined and two key insights based on data sharing and bilateral information sharing are provided.
Abstract: This article examines the power interplay that shapes the transboundary water interaction in the Brahmaputra River basin. The article provides two key insights based on data sharing and bilateralis...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compared stormwater management in two coastal cities: Hong Kong and Singapore, and found that holistic urban storm water management can lead to higher economic efficiency, sustainability and environmental friendliness.
Abstract: This study compares stormwater management in two coastal cities: Hong Kong and Singapore. Hong Kong adopted conventional urban stormwater management for flood control and embraced hard-engineering infrastructure in the scheme. In contrast, Singapore has put in place a series of holistic management practices to manage urban runoff. By comparing the stormwater management practices in these two cities, the differences in approaches to non-structural and structural practices were elucidated. Life cycle costing and environmental benefit analysis indicate that holistic urban stormwater management can lead to higher economic efficiency, sustainability and environmental friendliness, compared to conventional urban stormwater management.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined whether solar pumps for groundwater irrigation are technically feasible and economically viable in India and proposed large-scale promotion of solar pump for well irrigation as a way to make agricultural growth carbon-neutral and groundwater use in farming sustainable.
Abstract: India is on a path to reduce its carbon emission intensity with a major thrust on increasing the grid-connected solar photovoltaic capacity. However, the carbon footprint in agriculture is on the rise. Heavy subsidies for electricity and diesel to pump groundwater for irrigated agriculture, combined with lack of regulations on water withdrawal, are resulting in both groundwater over-exploitation and increased carbon emissions. Some researchers and practitioners have suggested large-scale promotion of solar pumps for well irrigation as a way to make agricultural growth carbon-neutral and groundwater use in farming sustainable. This article examines whether solar pumps for groundwater irrigation are technically feasible and economically viable in India.
TL;DR: In this article, two important environmental challenges for many cities are to prevent flooding after heavy rain and to minimize warming due to the urban heat island effect, and the two problems of flood management and urban warming therefore need to be tackled together.
Abstract: Two important environmental challenges for many cities are to prevent flooding after heavy rain, and to minimize warming due to the urban heat island effect. There is a close link between these two phenomena, as rainfall intensity increases with rising air temperature. The two problems of flood management and urban warming therefore need to be tackled together. In particular, management strategies that contribute to reducing urban temperatures should be recognized as a means of reducing flood risk, especially in regions prone to intense rainfall.
TL;DR: This paper reviewed the dynamics of conflict and cooperation between sub-national administrative jurisdictions in China, and assessed the implications of these dynamics for its transboundary waterways, arguing that domestic hydopolitics can rival the international variety in both complexity and contentiousness.
Abstract: This article reviews the dynamics of conflict and cooperation between sub-national administrative jurisdictions in China, and assesses the implications of these dynamics for its transboundary waterways. The article argues that domestic hydopolitics can rival the international variety in both complexity and contentiousness. This is especially true in China because of its marked fiscal-economic decentralization, which creates considerable interjurisdictional conflict. These internal politics may help explain tension between China and its neighbours over transboundary rivers, and future research should attempt to more fully link the domestic and international arenas.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined rice farmers' perceptions of irrigation and constraints on rice production in the municipality of Malanville, Benin, and found that farmers face major constraints such as lack of agricultural credit, poor access to production inputs, inadequate knowledge of water resources management, and limited access to agricultural information and markets.
Abstract: This article examines rice farmers’ perceptions of irrigation and constraints on rice production in the municipality of Malanville, Benin. Farmers’ positive perceptions of irrigation include the use of irrigation for insurance against drought, crop yield improvement, higher income, food security and poverty reduction. Analysis of constraints reveals that farmers face major constraints such as lack of agricultural credit, poor access to production inputs, inadequate knowledge of water resources management, poor access to agricultural information and markets, and flooding of fields. Specific constraints in the irrigation scheme of Malanville include the high cost of irrigation and unavailability of water.
TL;DR: In this paper, the Mekong River basin provides an instructive example of challenges to the evolution of environmental security in Asia, including ecosystem degradation, food, energy, water, development and climate change.
Abstract: Environmental security, broadly defined as integrated analysis of the social and ecological aspects of environmental problems, is gaining influence as nations begin to expand beyond traditional conceptions of national security. The Mekong River basin provides an instructive example of challenges to the evolution of environmental security in Asia. An overview of six main security stressors – ecosystem degradation, food, energy, water, development, and climate change – reveals the need for transboundary governance reform. China may be in a position to undertake new leadership in the Mekong, which could result in more cooperation, but only if that leadership embraces more deliberative and inclusive behaviour.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors quantified flood occurrence, drought severity, and related resilience in 81 cities in Mainland China, and the extent of flood exposure was notable, both in absolute terms as well as in relation to the drought-prone urban population.
Abstract: China’s rapid urbanization in areas prone to flood or drought events can be seen as a double-edged sword. Urbanization enlarges the population exposed to these hazards, but the resulting socio-economic development also helps build resilience. This article quantifies flood occurrence, drought severity, and related resilience in 81 cities in Mainland China. The extent of flood exposure was notable, both in absolute terms as well as in relation to the drought-prone urban population. China needs to integrate urban flood/drought policy making with sustainable urbanization policy making to best contribute to minimizing flood and drought risks in its cities.
TL;DR: The development of antifragility at the city scale is outlined through the use of local governance, data collection and a bimodal strategy for infrastructure development to deliver reliable water systems in the face of highly uncertain future conditions.
Abstract: Antifragility is a system property that results in systems becoming increasingly resistant to external shocks by being exposed to them. These systems have the counter-intuitive property of benefiting from uncertain conditions. This paper presents one of the first known applications of antifragility to water infrastructure systems and outlines the development of antifragility at the city scale through the use of local governance, data collection and a bimodal strategy for infrastructure development. The systems architecture presented results in a management paradigm that can deliver reliable water systems in the face of highly uncertain future conditions.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the growing debate on water management options for India, the tone and tenor of policy debate and the inconsistency in the inconsistency of water management policies.
Abstract: There is very limited scientific evidence to support some of the ideas in the water sector that guide India’s government policies in these sectors. Further, the interdisciplinary perspective required for the design of economic instruments, institutions, and laws and regulations to implement existing policies is lacking in social scientists. This article discusses the growing debate on water management options for India, the tone and tenor of policy debate and the inconsistency. It summarizes 10 scholarly articles from various authors which reflect the multiplicity of views on water issues and solutions for water management in the country.
TL;DR: In this paper, land compensation and allocation standards for rural resettlers in China have gradually improved since 1949, however, the land allocation standards that local governments promised or that were sti...
Abstract: Since 1949, land compensation and allocation standards for rural resettlers in China have gradually improved. However, the land allocation standards that local governments promised or that were sti...
TL;DR: The authors discusses the bias of the growing constituency of civil society activists in India against conventional water management solutions implemented by the government, and the "alternatives" they champion, which force the government to enter into an endless debate with these groups.
Abstract: This article discusses the bias of the growing constituency of civil society activists in India against conventional water management solutions implemented by the government, and the ‘alternatives’ they champion, which force the government to enter into an endless debate with these groups. The article goes into the fundamental reasons for this bias, and identifies four types of civil society activist: ‘professional’, ‘ideologue’, ‘romantic’ and ‘doomsday prophet’. The article also argues that water bureaucracies in India should adopt evidence-based policy making, subjecting the ‘alternatives’ to the same degree of scrutiny as the conventional ones, to end the policy dilemma, while enhancing the overall quality of design, execution and management of projects for better outcomes.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined how urban resilience can generally be maximized, before examining how it is impacted by extreme hydro-climatic events (i.e. droughts and floods), with a specific case examination for Singapore.
Abstract: Changing frequencies and intensities of extreme weather events directly affect settlement vulnerability; when combined with rapid urbanization, these factors also influence urban resilience to climate-related hazards. This article documents how urban resilience can generally be maximized, before examining how it is impacted by extreme hydro-climatic events (i.e. droughts and floods), with a specific case examination for Singapore. In particular, analysis of Singapore’s climate from 1950 to 2015 indicates (1) a warmer environment, and (2) recent periods of more intense surface dryness. Lastly, this article suggests how specific climate information regarding extreme event attribution can aid municipal stakeholders involved in urban resilience policy.
TL;DR: This paper examined the public response (online comments, n = 1323) to online news reporting an indirect potable reuse proposal for London and found no evidence of the media's framing of the event strongly shaping the unsolicited online public reactions.
Abstract: The public is increasingly engaging with information about water reuse proposals through the Internet. Though there are benefits to engaging the public online, there may also be challenges associated with media bias or online advocacy. This study qualitatively examines the public response (online comments, n = 1323) to online news reporting an indirect potable reuse proposal for London. The study found no evidence of the media’s framing of the event strongly shaping the unsolicited online public reactions. Findings suggest that though communications may struggle to counter longer-term news agendas, there may be benefits to experimenting with framing water safety measures and shorter-term gains.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors found that, rather than improving access to drip, the subsidy system holds the technology back, because its technical requirements, highly bureaucratic processes and pricing incentives turn many drip providers into rent-seeking agents rather than service providers to farmers, leading to price increases of 40% or more.
Abstract: Drip irrigation in India has expanded slowly. One reason cited is the high capital costs facing the smallholder-dominated agricultural sector. Governments have provided capital subsidies in response. This study finds that, rather than improving access to drip, the subsidy system holds the technology back, because its technical requirements, highly bureaucratic processes and pricing incentives turn many drip providers into rent-seeking agents rather than service providers to farmers, leading to price increases of 40% or more. If capital costs are truly the constraint on drip expansion in India, alternative models to address them are available.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss how key risks from extreme weather events might affect progress towards meeting sustainable development goals 6 and 11 in cities in developing countries, and outline the magnitude of the existing shortfall in safe water and sanitation services, and how climate change will exacerbate existing problems.
Abstract: This article discusses how key risks from extreme weather events might affect progress towards meeting Sustainable Development Goals 6 and 11 in cities in developing countries. It outlines the magnitude of the existing shortfall in safe water and sanitation services, and how climate change will exacerbate existing problems. It argues that the performance of many governments thus far has lacked urgency and purpose. Unless governments in particular become more committed, with redoubled effort, the goals are unlikely to be achieved.
TL;DR: In this article, a case study based on planners' experiences illustrates the shift towards a governance approach that is inclusive, integrates available technologies to achieve resilience to both flood and drought, and works across scales from the settlement to the catchment.
Abstract: The Kenyan Constitution calls for a devolved response to the stewardship of water and other natural resources. A case study based on planners’ experiences illustrates the shift towards a governance approach that is inclusive, integrates available technologies to achieve resilience to both flood and drought, and works across scales from the settlement to the catchment. Devolution is a slow process, and the challenges are many. Recent observations show that increasing local agency in water resource development is helping alleviate drought and flood emergencies. Nevertheless, more concerted action is still needed from the centre.
TL;DR: In this article, early warning systems present a more efficient approach to flood prevention and mitigation than engineering measures, and they have been shown to be more efficient than traditional flood mitigation measures.
Abstract: Flash floods cause extensive loss of property and human life. Early warning systems present a more efficient approach to flood prevention and mitigation than engineering measures. This article revi...
TL;DR: As China emerges as a regional and global power and its interest in utilizing the transboundary water resources within its borders continues to grow, a better understanding of China's policies and...
Abstract: As China emerges as a regional and global power and its interest in utilizing the transboundary water resources within its borders continues to grow, a better understanding of China’s policies and ...
TL;DR: In this article, a systematic analysis of water governance in China's "one country-two systems" setting is presented, which applies Ostrom's Institutional Analysis and Development framework to a setting with political complexity and environmental vulnerability.
Abstract: Water resource management is a crucial issue in the rapidly urbanizing Pearl River Delta. Numerous studies have examined transboundary water management, but those focusing on Hong Kong are largely technical, with little consideration for political dynamics or collaboration. This study’s contribution is a systematic analysis of water governance in China’s ‘one country–two systems’ setting. Through interviews and historical analysis, the study applies Ostrom’s Institutional Analysis and Development framework to a setting with political complexity and environmental vulnerability. The principal finding is that cooperation on supply infrastructure reflects a regional interdependence that builds the multiparty trust needed for more strategic governance.